Notices
Series I Trouble Shooting This is the place to learn more about or discuss any issues you're having with your RX-8

Reversed the polarity of battery, car won't start. Fuses blown?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 05-23-2016, 01:49 AM
  #1  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
TomX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 192
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Exclamation Reversed the polarity of battery, car won't start. Fuses blown?

My battery died after 6 years, so I bought a new one from Exide. It was dark outside, but needed the car for the next day so decided to install it anyway.

Well, I reversed the polarity (put + on -, and - on +), which was very stupid. I heard a click, and the turn signals would come on solid. So I figure and hope, that it was some kind of reverse polarity protection... I also turned the key when the poles were reversed, which is when I still didn't realize my mistake...

It never occured to me that there would be 2 kinds of batteries, one with the poles reversed and one with the poles as I need them to be. I exchanged the wrong new battery for the correct new battery, and the car won't start.


Lights work, dash works, but that's it. I can't open the door with my remote, the trunk doesn't open from pressing the inside button, when I turn the key, the dashboard doesn't dim like it always does so it seems it isn't drawing any power. CEL, Handbrake, Airbag, ABS, Traction Control, are on. I can hear the LPG pump working in the trunk when I turn the key to ON, starting just won't do a single thing.


I have searched the forum and I couldn't find a meaningful answer. I expect that the fuses are blown, the ACC A30 or the 120A if I'm not mistaken (I will just change all those which are burned through, logic), but what could it be if it aren't the fuses? Where do I find this main one, somewhere under a plastic cover within the fuse box?


I will check the fuses and read out the ECU to see whether it's still alive, but I would really expect that it's just the fuses that burned through, as I cannot imagine that you can destroy some parts just by e.g. reversing the cables at a jumpstart. It should be protected against stupid mistakes like this, right?

Last edited by TomX8; 05-23-2016 at 01:53 AM.
Old 05-23-2016, 02:18 AM
  #2  
Metatron
iTrader: (1)
 
StealthTL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: A Pacific Island.
Posts: 7,280
Received 173 Likes on 130 Posts
Originally Posted by TomX8
It should be protected against stupid mistakes like this, right?
One would think so.

Good Luck....
Old 05-23-2016, 02:36 AM
  #3  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
TomX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 192
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Found out that someone with a First Gen Miata blew the 80A fuse, replaced it, car works fine. Her alarm lights stayed on, just like mine, but wouldn't budge when turning the key. Another person also stated that they only had to replace the 80A fuse.
http://forum.miata.net/vb/archive/in.../t-184774.html


One of our users had the same problém and fixed it by replacing the main fuse 120A under the fuse box.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tec...-244644/page2/


So I'm fairly hopeful it's just the fuse, will replace it and report back.

Last edited by TomX8; 05-23-2016 at 03:04 AM.
Old 05-23-2016, 11:50 AM
  #4  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
TomX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 192
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Main Fuse 120A was blown. Bought and installed a new one which got my car running again! Except that the radio works, but there is no sound, so probably the fuse to the speakers has been blown aswell.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BLIPY
RX-8 Discussion
6
12-05-2012 08:49 AM
dlum125
Series I Exterior Appearance and Body Kits
24
04-03-2012 03:26 PM
dimitri_92
RX-8 Parts For Sale/Wanted
1
09-05-2009 04:54 PM
alcimedes
Series I Trouble Shooting
12
06-11-2006 09:23 AM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Reversed the polarity of battery, car won't start. Fuses blown?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:59 AM.